Kite controller



Sept. 20, 1932. w. J. voss KITE CONTROLLER 'Filed May 28, .1950

'mzzm 7 068; JMM

Patented Sept. 20, 1932.. I

warren STATES WILLIAM J. voss, OF

HAMMonn, 'IN IANA KITE CONTROLLER Application filed May' 28,.

- reel for controlling the speed at which the kite cord unwinds from thereel.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a clamping memberfor securing the kite cord against further unwinding, when the kite hasreached the height desired.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a device of theabove-mentioned character which is simple and durable in cnstruction,reliable and eflicient in use and inexpensive to manufacture;

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of the device,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the same, and

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 1. a

In the drawing, wherein for-the purpose of illustration, I havev shown apreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 denotes anelongated'frame, of substantially rectangular shape in cross section,having a handle 6 extending longitudinally from one end for holding thedevice in the hand of the operator. The frame is provided with alongitudinal slot 7 to receive the reel 8, mounted on the shaft 9, whichis ournaled in the side members ofthe frame. One end of the shaft 9extends beyond the side member 10 and is bent to form a crank 11, forturning the reel 8 to wind the kite cord 12 thereon. V The upper end ofthe frame is provided with a central longitudinal passage 13communicating'with the slot 7, and through which the kite cord 12 isadapted to pass. Extending transversely through the upper end of theframe and 1930. Serial No. 456,737.

intersecting the passage 13 is an opening 14 in which the rodtl5 of theclamping member 16 isrotatably mounted. One end of the rod is bent,at'right angles forming a handle 17 the ext'remity of the handle beingbent in wardly, as at 18, to engage with the frame and thereby limit therotation of the clampmg member. The rod 15 at its point of intersectionwith the passage 13 is notched, as at 19, and the'kite cord 12 isdisposed, in the notch. V The brake 20 for controlling the speed of thereel when the kite cord is being unwound therefrom is formed from apiece of wire, bent intermediate its length to form a .U- shaped lever21, the ends of the wire being reversely bent to provide support-s22which extend into the slot 7 and have there terminals bent to providetrunnions 23 which are ournaled in the side members 1O of the frame.Thus, it is seen that the flanges of the reel 8 are disposed in directline with the connecting portions 24 betweenthelever 21 and supports 22,so thatthe portions24 frictionally engage the flanges of the reel whenthe brake is pushed forwardly by pressure on the'lever 21. 1

v In operation, it'will be seen that by wind-- ing the kite cord 12 onthe reel 8, the cord may be readilywou'nd and unwound without danger oftangling the cord. When the kite is ascending and the cord is beingunwound from the reel, the speed at which the reel is unwinding'the cordmay be controlled by pressing onthelever 21, of the brake 20 with thefinger, which causes theportions 24 to frictionally engage the flangesof the reel, thereby retarding the rotation of the reel. After the kitehas ascended to the desired height, the cord may be secured againstfurther unwinding by rotating the rod 15 of the clamping member 16, bypressing on the handle 17, thereby bringing the sharp edges of the notch19 into clamping engagementv with the cord 12. Should the kite fall tothe V ground, the handle 17 of the clamping member is completely turnedso as to bring the roundedsurface of the rod 15 into engagement withthecord thereby taking'up the slack of the cord as it is wound upon thereel. 7

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shownanddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and thatcertain changesin theshape, size and arrangement of the parts may bemade without departing fromthe spirit of the invention or the scope" ofthe subjoined claims. 7

Having thus describedmy inventiongi- I claim 1. A device of thecharacterdescrihed coim- I prising a frame having a longitudinal slot,

a reel rotatably mounted inthe slotof said frame, a cord wound upon saidr-eel, said framehaving' a lbngitudinal passage in its upper" endthroughwhich said cord is adapted to pass and a clamping member consista 'ing'of'a rotatable rod extending'trarisversel'y' through theupper end ofsaid frame and intersecting; said passage sa-id rod having. a, notch:in' which Sald cord isdisposed,

2 A clevi'ce'ofthe character descrihedcom- V prising a frame having" alongitudinal slot,

a reel rotatahly' mounted in the slot of said frame and a brake for thereel consisting-pf a piece ofwjirelhent intermediate its ends to form apair of spaced U shaped' sections, the hight portionsof which areengageahl'e with: the respective fla'nges of the reel, the ends of thewire heing pivotally mounted in the sides of the slot of the-frame andthe intermediate section of the Wire constituting; a

thumb piecefor moving the hrake'i'nto and V out of engagementrwith the;reel. I

3 A. device of the character described' c0 m prising a frame having; albn'gitli'dinall slot, a reel rotatably mounted in the slot of saidframe having alongitudinal passage'iri upperendwhrou h which said cordis'a'dapted to pass and a clamping member'c'onsist ing" of a rotatablerod extending transver's'ethrough" the upper end: of saidl frame andintersectingsaid' passage; said rod having" a notch" in which said cordisfdi'sposed, one

end of" the rod being inturned for engaging.

the edge of the frame to" secure" the rod In testimony whereof- I afiixsi gnat-ure. I VQSS.

